Max Lauf/Register Citizen
Torrington High School Chamber and Concert Choir sing Christmas carols during the toy shower at the Yankee Pedlar Inn in Torrington.

The foyer of the Yankee Pedlar Inn held a full house on Friday evening, when adults and children alike turned out in support of the annual Christmas Village Toy Shower.

The event sought to raise funds for the Village's 65th year open to the public. Brett Simmons is the Superintendent of Torrington's Department of Parks and Recreation, which sponsors Christmas Village and works with both the Yankee Pedlar and community radio station WZBG to organize the Toy Shower.

"We're just trying to raise funds to support our operations at Christmas Village," said Simmons. "It's been a great success. It's great to see the community support"

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Donations to the Toy Shower will supplement the Department of Parks and Recreation budget for Christmas Village. The money will go towards maintaining the grounds, purchasing toys for Santa to give to children, and providing care for the Village's four reindeer.

Children gathered on the floor around Jill Veras, of the Torrington Library, as she kicked off the festivities by animatedly reading "A Pirates Night Before Christmas," and "Pete The Cat Saves Christmas."

Singing an impromptu duet of "Go Tell It On The Mountain" with guitarist Brian Mattiello was Marilyn Alduini-Plaskiewicz, who has been performing at city sponsored events for the past 40 years. Ms. Alduini-Plaskiewicz watched 10th grader Ashley Smith's rendition of "Silent Night" as she reminisced about a time when she in Ashley's shoes.

"This is something that I've been doing since I was a child, as far as Christmas Village goes," said Alduini-Plaskiewicz. "So when I can come down and just sing sometimes, and to see the little kids, and watch them being read the Christmas stories, I just kind of sat there and thought, 'how sweet!'"

Other musical performances followed, including 2006 Northwest Idol winner Antwon Johnson, and the Torrington High School Chamber and Concert Choir. The Choir performed Yuletide staples, "Carol Of The Bells," "Jingle Bells," "Jolly Old Saint Nick," and "Christmas Is Coming."

After much anticipation by the children present, and serenaded by the Torrington Middle School Choir, Mrs. Clause made her entrance down the Yankee Pedlars grand staircase and into the foyer. Mrs. Clause, who wishes her true name to be withheld, has been a staple of the Christmas Village fundraisers since 1996. As she remembers it, her first day on the job was a dramatic one.

"When Christmas Village had its 50th anniversary, Santa Claus came in on a helicopter, which landed in Fuessenich Park," recalled Claus. "He introduced me, and then left in a stagecoach."

Mrs. Clause watched the Middle School Choir's performance, afterwards mingling with the families present and holding court for an adoring crowd of young children.

Also in the Christmas spirit were Torrington Fire Department's Jeremy Minard and Lt. Chris Pepler.

"It's a tradition of the Fire Department to spread awareness of Christmas Village," said Minard. "We grew up here in the city, and now that we have kids, we're bringing them to Christmas Village too."

Lt. Pepler adds, "The Department shows up to the fundraiser each year. It's good to get in touch with the community."

As of 6:30, nearly 3,000 dollars had been collected, including a donation of 750 dollars made by the Reservoir Dogs Motorcycle Club, and by the end of the night the total amount of funds raised at the Yankee Pedlar was estimated to be close to 4,000 dollars. WZBG has been conducting their own fundraising drive to benefit Christmas Village, and the combined figures of these two initiatives will be released on Monday.

Christmas Village will open for the 2012 season at 1:00 PM on Sunday, December 11.